An excerpt from the Season of Easter

3rd Sunday of Easter

LECTIONARY READINGS
Acts 9:1–6, (7–20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11–14
John 21:1–19

Where Jesus is present, the catch exceeds all expectations.

A world transformed beyond all expectations by the spirit of Jesus.
In this world, each child has the expectation of growing up healthy and loved.
In this world, conflicts between nations are only fought out on the soccer field, the baseball diamond, and the basketball court.
In this world, no one who wants a job is denied the training or the opportunity.
In this world, the rich joyfully share with the poor and there is no hunger or lack of education.
We will speak out and work for a world such as this.
A world made new in the way of Jesus the Christ.

Suffering transformed beyond all expectation by the spirit of Jesus.
The mentally sick and those with addiction will have the non-judgmental treatment they need.
The creative ones – poets, artists, actors, and sculptors – will all have opportunities to use their talents.
There will be no worry that medical treatment will be delayed.
Those who treat the sick will be those who feel called to this work.
The dying will be gently cared for and those who have lost loved ones will be assured of comfort.
We pray for those we know who are sick and for members of this community of faith (time of silent reflection).
We pray for the dying and for the bereaved (time of silent reflection).
We will speak out and work for a world such as this.
A world made new in the way of Jesus the Christ.

The church transformed beyond all expectations by the spirit of Jesus.
The enduring peaceful spirit will provide a refuge for those in the faith community who are troubled and afraid.
This faith community will promote justice among the abused, the neglected, and those without hope.
This faith community will support and encourage the work of the wider church (name the wider church groupings).
The members of this faith community will care for each other, and through mission funds will support the needy of other lands.
This Christian community will learn from and share resources with those of other world faiths.
We will speak out and work for a church such as this.
A church made new in the way of Jesus the Christ.

Each of us transformed beyond all expectations by the spirit of Jesus.
Our self-focus replaced by a concern for the downhearted and disillusioned.
Our willingness to protect those most at risk in the family replaced by a readiness to hold them capable.
Our desire to tell our friends what to do replaced by a willingness to listen to their deepest needs and concerns.
Our need to be always doing widened to include prayer and meditation.
We will strive for personal change.
We will follow the way of Jesus the Christ.

Another Way

1. Between each section, sing the first verse of “Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies” (Voices United #336) or “He Came Singing Love” (Voices United #359) or “Jesus Came Bringing Us Hope” (More Voices #33).

2. Focus the prayer on: Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, and if he does, to care for his sheep.

If we love, we will care.
If we love our world, we will care for it.
We will ask for full recycling in our locality.
We will advocate for stricter regulations controlling the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
We will monitor those who extract ores and use water without regard to future generations.
We will protect and care for animals, birds, plants, and trees.
If we love our world we will care for it (time of silent reflection).

If we love our world we will care for those who are in it.
We will ask for training schemes for those without jobs.
We will advocate for those who cannot care for their children and work fulltime too.
If we love our world we will care for those who are in it (time of silent reflection).

If we love our world we will hear the call to justice.
We will speak out for immigrants who face hatred.
We will advocate for those who are denied work because of their country of origin.
If we love our world we will cry out for justice (time of silent reflection).
Care follows love; Jesus loved, and Peter was challenged to care.

If we love, we will care.
If we love the suffering we will care for them.
We will befriend the infirm elderly and be their voices.
We will work with those who are challenged mentally or physically and support their call for appropriate facilities.
If we love the suffering, we will care for them (time of silent reflection).

If we love the suffering, we will care for them.
We will support those who need medical diagnosis or treatment.
We will comfort those who are anxious or afraid.
If we love the suffering we will care for them (time of silent reflection).

If we love the suffering we will care for them.
We will be care-bringers to those who are sick at home and those in hospital. We will bring news and views, we will speak hopefully, and repeat jokes and stories.
We will be strong comforters to those who have lost loved ones. We will listen to their deepest feelings.
If we love the suffering, we will care for them (time of silent reflection).
Care follows love; Jesus loved, and Peter was challenged to care.

Follow the same pattern for the other sections.